Reuel robinson



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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONGERN:

Bo it known that I, REUEL ROBINSON, of San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a Berth Life-Boatand Armor combined; and I do hereby declare the following description and accompanying drawingsfiai'e suiiicient to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which it most nearly appertains vto malte and use my said invention without further invention or experiment.

The object of 'my invention is'to provide a life-preserveror boat for vessels, so constructed that it will not occupy the space required for freight or other purposes, and furnish to each person a simple and complete life-boat and armor combined, in which one having provisions can live at sera for an indefinite time, and be a safe and readyvmeans of escape from the ship in case of wreck. i i

To (lo this I construct a raft or float so that it will fit the bottom of the berth, made of thin boards or other material, and of sucient depth to give it the required buoyancy and strength, say six (6) f-'eet long by two (2) feet wide, and four inches deep, more or less, with water-tight compartments. Through the centre of this I malte an opening, about four (it) feet long, sharp at each end, and twenty (20) inches wide at the middle, and place in it au armor to fit it, made of rubber or other water-proof material, about twenty inches deep, with a narrow str-iper piece of wood ormother material for the bottom. This 4armor is secured to the sides of the opening. Below the float, anden eitherside of the narrow bottom, are the legs. Above the top of the Heat is the upper portion of' the armor, made large enough to it the person, and is drawn in closely about the neck by means of a. cord. Large sleeves are confined about the wrists by elastic wristbands, so that lthe hands can b e drawn inside when desired. In front, through the cover or fai-mor, is an opening, which, when not in use, may be /closed with a string or other devicev to render it water-tight. A small vessel is placed inside, so that the person can attend to the calls` 'of' nature, and bail out the water in case of leakage. W'hen used for the berth-bottom the armor is folded into the opening, making an even surface, and secured by a piece of light duch,I laced tightly around. This duck may be set for a sail in light winds,ior a signal for passing ships, a

smhll mast being furnished for the purpose, to be placed in front of the person in the armor.v Paddles are lashed to each side oi' the craft, which can be used, one invcach hand, by loosely fastening the ends of the Vhandles to the mast, in front. Inside there is a strap to fit :over the shoulder, to facilitate lthe adjustment of the armor and support thc whole weight while on deck. A person can lower himself by making fast to a strap just in front of the armor. When in the water he will sit across and rest upon the narrow, stiff bottomof the lower armor, which is large enough .to allow the occupant free movement or change of position, aud space for a small quantity of water and provisions. Nearly the whole weight of the person being below the'vmain bearings, it cannot capsize.

To more fully illustrate and describe my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings and letters marked thereon, of which- Figure 1 is a side view.

Figure 2 is aside sectional elevation.

Figure 3 is a plan.

A represents an oblong iioa't, with sharp,- ilat ends, constructed of boards, with side and end pieces, leaving spaces between the upper and lower surfaces. This ioat should be made as near water-tight as possible. An opening, B, is made through the oat, having two acute and two obtuse angles large enough to admit the body, through which is placed an Iudiarubber armor, C, which is Vattached to the sides of the opening in a permanent manner, just below the arms, the whole being large enough to admit the body and give free movement to the limbs. Below thebody of the armor, and between it and the upper portion of the legs, I place a stiit` piece of board or other material, D, for a seat, whose sides are shapedso as to conform to the contour oi' the legs. This scat is placed lengthwise with the armor, and affords a suiiicient space in front to store a small quantity ofprevisiens and water. A small ladle, E, is also placed inside of the armor, and attached to it by a string, by which the passenger may attend to the calls of nature, as well 'as bail out the water which may-enter in case of leakage. This is done, the hands and arms being free, by means of an opening, F, made in front ot' the armor, which is lkept. tightly closed by a small cord when not used for thc above-described purpose.

In order to steer and propel the craft, a. light pair of oars, a a, are provided, and when not in use may bc lashed to the sides of the float; and a. small, light mast, with sails and ha-lymds all ready tosct, is elcwcd up at one side of the craft, and in case of need this mast is set in front of -the armor, in :L depression made for the purpose in the deck` of the craft l I claim the frame A, provided with air-tight compartments, and'a. flexible case for thc legs, body, :md arm-s, and having a. seat, D, and opening, F, all substantilly ns described.

In Witness whereof I. have hereunto set my hand and seal.

REUEL ROBINSON. [1.. s.]

Witnesses:

J. L. BOONE, GEO. Hi STRONG. 

